Editor’s note: We’re delighted to welcome Carolina King as a new contributor to Green Child. As a mother of two, she’ll be sharing her advice on gentle parenting and positive discipline. Enjoy her first article on how to discipline without yelling. It was early in the morning. My kids were getting ready for school, moving…
Parenting
Naptime Activism: The Joy of Doing Nothing
Even though this column is called “Naptime Activism,” I want to check my assumption that we need more activism—more activity—and talk about doing less. In fact, I want to talk about the joy of doing nothing. By doing nothing, I’m not talking about a non-work day when you do errands and catch up on the…
Positive Parenting: Stop negative self-talk with this three-letter word
It can be hard to watch our children struggle, especially when they resort to negative self-talk. By supporting them through it – but not solving their problems for them, we can help build their confidence and resilience. Here’s a strategy that involves a simple, three-letter word to help. “I can’t do this.” “This is so…
Fewer Toys, More Fun: Why Kids Benefit from Having Fewer Toys
As grown ups, we’re often overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices we have to make in a day. Life is really no different for our children, on their own scale. Kids benefit from having fewer toys, and you can benefit from creating intentional (and minimal) play options for your child. Is it crazy that…
How Affection Boosts Brain Power in Kids
Feeling loved and secure is key to childhood development, but did you also know that physical and emotional affection play a part? Here’s more on how affection boosts brain power. “A hug a day keeps the doctor away!” That’s what my mother would say before I bounced off to school in the morning. With her…
Avoid Meltdowns by Setting Expectations Children Can Understand
Imagine you wake up one morning excited to be spending the entire day with your friend. You get dressed, and she takes you out. You don’t know what you’re going to do or where you’re going to go, but you’re ready for a fun time. After a while, you realize… it’s not fun. She took…
Kids Who Spend More Time in Nature Become Happier Adults, Study Confirms
You don’t really need a study to tell you this, but it’s worth noting the science behind our intuitive guess that kids who spend more time in nature become happier adults. A new study out of Denmark found that living near and spending time in nature is measurably better for your mental health, both short…
Mothers Share: What I Wish I’d Done During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a short and special time in your life. So it only makes sense to celebrate and enjoy it. Our readers chime in on the topic – What I wish I’d done during pregnancy. Give Yourself Grace “I wish I’d been more patient with myself. I was so forgetful and spacy, but the worst…
Oscha Slings: Ethical & Sustainable Babywearing
If you’re a babywearing mama, you’ve probably heard of Oscha Slings. The gorgeous fabrics they use in their wraps are heirloom quality, and many of them are absolutely breathtaking. And if you can’t bear to pass your favorite one along when your babywearing days are over… you’ll always find creative ways to wear it as…
Gentle Discipline: How Positive Time-Outs Could Change Your Child’s Behavior
Making time-outs positive is one way to bring positive discipline into your daily routine. What is a Time-Out? First thing first – we’re rethinking what the discipline term “time-out” has come to mean in modern parenting. Time-outs have an important and effective role. A time-out is a chance for both children and parents to…
Free Range Summer: Letting Kids Be Kids
“Free range” is a term we generally use when talking about healthier animal treatment… not when discussing our upcoming summer plans. But when the broad definition means “to roam freely instead of being contained,” I think the concept of free range summers fits rather beautifully. Have you ever watched a child walk through a forest?…
How to Host an Eco Friendly Birthday Party
Sometimes we make green living more complicated than it should be. The concept is simple – a natural lifestyle should come “naturally,” shouldn’t it? And shouldn’t it be simple to celebrate an eco friendly birthday party? But our culture’s disposable mindset and obsession with consumerism can make it tough to live simply. Especially when…
Simple Tips for Setting Effective Screen Time Limits
Wondering how to set effective screen time limits for your child? You’re not alone. As we become increasingly bombarded by and dependent upon technology, it’s hard to know when to limit screen time. Many schools have replaced textbooks with tablets, so your child may be spending 6+ hours on a screen without any of it…
35 Activities to Treasure While Your Child Is Still Little
The first few years we have with our children can be so busy (and sometimes so overwhelming) that we might not find ourselves thinking about all the things we want to do before they start school. Sometimes we feel like we’re barely making it through the day. You know that bit of parenting wisdom, “The…
7 Ways to Help Environmentally Sensitive Children Thrive
One of the many side effects of pollution and modern technology is the rise in the number of environmentally sensitive children. As we strive toward finding ways to protect and keep the environment clean and safe, the health of our world’s children should be at the top of our priority list. Contaminants are found everywhere in…
Parenting With a Disability: How to Prepare for Your New Baby
Becoming a new parent can feel like you’re walking a tightrope walk of emotions. And when it involves parenting with a disability, this new adventure can seem even more daunting. The latest research shows there are more than 4.1 million disabled parents in the U.S. That means that one in 10 children has a parent who, like…
Supporting Your Toddler Through a Meltdown
Understanding toddler meltdowns and tantrums, and knowing how to support your child through the process is important to your child’s development. Toddlerhood: the time for toddler tantrums Toddlerhood is a time when your child’s wild spirit is just beginning to explore and make sense of the world around him. Your child will naturally experience…
Guided Meditation Script: Happiness Factory
When you read a guided meditation for happiness aloud to your child, you can help him get in touch with feelings of contentment and joy. These peaceful guided meditation scripts are written especially for Green Child readers by Mellisa Dormoy of ShambalaKids. Her meditation audios help kids and teens relieve anxiety, build self-esteem, and develop…
How to Ask Family and Friends to Cut Back on Toys This Holiday
Editor’s note: Hundreds of you resonated with this mom who begged her friends and family, “Please stop giving my kids so much crap.” So, we thought it was time for another look at keeping the holidays with kids simple. Long-time Green Child contributor and author of Simply Christmas, Sandy Kreps, is back with tips on how…
Gentle Parenting: How to Raise a Resilient Child
Being resilient means being able to handle things that don’t work out ideally and having the ability to find creative solutions to problems. When you raise a resilient child, she’ll be better equipped to bounce back from emotional hurts and cope with failure. In short, being resilient is about surviving life’s adversities. How does this…
How to Keep Up Your Yoga Practice When You Have Kids
Before I became a mother, my yoga practice took a front and center seat in my life. I practiced daily, and spent at least two hours on the mat each time. I enjoyed my time on the mat, finding peace of mind while moving from asana to asana. They say that a child…
Midwife-Led Care for Pregnancy & Birth: Dispelling the Myths of Midwifery
Of the many topics to research, and the numerous decisions to make when expecting a baby, perhaps one of the most important is whether to go with obstetric or midwife-led care. Indeed, this decision can drastically impact how the pregnancy and birth are viewed and handled. As Sheila Stubbs of Birthing the Easy Way writes,…
Childhood Anxiety: Diagnosis & Natural Treatment of Anxiety in Children
Childhood should be a time of happiness and laughter. Unfortunately, we live in a world where even young children experience incapacitating fears that rob them of joy and playfulness. Childhood anxiety is not just being a little bit nervous on the first day of school. It is extreme fear and constant worries even about minor…
Celebrate Babywearing Week with DIDYMOS
October 1-7 is the official timing of Babywearing Week 2018, and it’s the perfect occasion to celebrate one of the cornerstones of attachment parenting. Wearing your baby is more than a wonderful way to bond. It’s pretty much a life-saver when it comes to doing anything with your hands… like helping your older child,…
